Roma deportations by France 'a disgrace', says EU
European Union justice commissioner compares expulsions to Vichy France's deportation of Jews
* Ian Traynor in Brussels
* guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 14 September 2010 12.24 BST
THe EU justice commissioner Viviane Reding hits out at France's expulsions of Gypsies, in Brussels. THe EU justice commissioner Viviane Reding hits out at France's expulsions of Gypsies, at EU HQ in Brussels. Photograph: Olivier Hoslet/EPA
Brussels confronted France today for the first time over President Nicolas Sarkozy's anti-Gypsy campaign, threatening legal action against the French government for its deportations of almost 1,000 Roma in recent weeks.
In a furious ultimatum to the French after weeks of being accused of pusillanimity, Viviane Reding, the European commissioner for justice and fundamental rights, likened the French deportations of Roma to Vichy France's treatment of Jews, denounced French conduct as "a disgrace", and announced likely "infringement proceedings" which could see France hauled before the European court of justice.
The showdown represented a policy U-turn only a few days after she declared that Paris was sending "very positive" signals on its Roma policy.
The volte-face was triggered by the leak of a French government document demonstrating that Gypsies from Romania and Bulgaria were the explicit targets of a Sarkozy policy to shut down 300 immigrant encampments.
Over the past six weeks, the French authorities have expelled almost 1,000 Roma and demolished scores of camps, while repeatedly denying that Roma were the target of the campaign.
Reding effectively accused the French authorities of lying and has clearly been enraged by the perceived duplicity.
"I can only express my deepest regrets that the political assurances given by two French ministers officially mandated to discuss this matter with the European Commission are now openly contradicted by an administrative circular issued by the same government," she said.
"This is not a minor offence. This is a disgrace … My patience is wearing thin. Enough is enough."
Reding went to the European parliament in Strasbourg last week and was strongly attacked by MEPs for being seen to appease the French. The parliament passed a resolution strongly condemning the French, while the commission prevaricated.
The European commission is charged with upholding European law as laid down by EU treaties. Until today, Reding had refused to say whether France was breaking a 2004 law enshrining freedom of movement across the EU, including Romania and Bulgaria. The Gypsies deported from France are EU citizens.
The EU's charter of fundamental rights also outlaws discrimination on ethnic grounds. The leaked French policy paper revealed that the Roma were being targeted collectively.
"I am personally convinced that the commission will have no choice but to initiate infringement action against France," said Reding.
"I have been appalled by a situation which gave the impression that people are being removed from a member state of the EU just because they belong to a certain ethnic minority. This is a situation I had thought Europe would not have to witness again after the second world war."
Roma deportations by France 'a disgrace', says EU | World news | guardian.co.uk
Roma deportations by France 'a disgrace', says EU
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